The county operated as business as usual for so long, no one wanted to change anything. People assumed a change was made but it never was. This should make it easier to direct money to fire departments that perform needed work. We need a contract for legitimate business purposes.

It certainly is frustrating because it affects our productivity and our ability to communicate. People will be wondering why we're not answering our e-mails.

It's all about people and architecture. Business drivers may change, underwriting and policy administration changes may simultaneously occur, but if you keep them in synch, I don't consider this any more risk. In fact, I consider less risk than older platforms or ways of computing. You have to be clear about your architecture.

Seek people who are open to change, to thinking differently about the future, and doing business differently.

There are some people who dislike this whole spirit and blood, or soul and blood business, ... It's better to change it.

Politics would be a helluva good business if it weren't for the goddamned people.